Background
The Board of Town Planners, Malaysia (BTPM) has been established under section 3 of Town Planners Act 1995 (ACT 538), and was enforced on 1 January 1996. The Board is regulatory body of town planners' profession in Malaysia. Member of the Board mean members appointed as provided under section 4, Act 538. The Minister of Housing and Local Authorities will appoint these members, for a term not more than three years. However, the President of Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) and Association of Town and Country Planning Officers will automatically be the Board members.

Variations between Board of Town Planners, Malaysia (BTPM) and Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP)
BTPM is a body corporate to promote and enhance all aspects related to town and country planning, as well as to regulate and monitor all planning practitioners in this country. The Minister shall appoint members of the Board in each session, normally for a term not exceeding 3 years, or at any time if the Minister feels necessary. BTPM is also in charge of handling all Registered Town Planners, Registered Graduate Town Planners and Temporary Registered Foreign Town Planners from all over the nation, as provided under the Town Planners Act 1995 (Act 538)

Malaysian Institute of Planner (MIP), in the other hand, is an institutional body to encourage the development of art and science in town and country planning for the public interest in Malaysia. The Committee of MIP is elected through the Council Meeting in every two years by the corporate members of MIP, which include both from private and government sectors.

Qualifications For Registration

As a Registered Town Planner

• All the MIP corporate members who registered before or on 1 January 1996 will be automatically became a member of BTPM, Provide the member has to apply to the Board and accompanied by the prescribed fee.
• A registered Graduate Town Planner who ha s obtained Practical experience as prescribed by the Board.
• He is a Malaysian citizen, or has been residing in Malaysia for a period of not less than six months prior to the date of application.
  

As Registered Graduate Town Planner

• Any Person who holds the qualification required for graduate member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners and other qualification as the board considers being equivalent to it.

As a Temporary Registered Foreign Town Planner

• A foreigner or his physical presence is required in Malaysia for not less than one hundred and eighty days in one calendar year or he is a resident representative of the foreign component of joint venture.